Intramedullary nail system with tang fixation after lock screw placement

Abstract

The disclosed device solves the problem of fixation of a fractured humerus, or other long bone, by allowing a surgeon to first fix the proximal end of the implant and set the fracture, followed by fixation of the distal end without the use of screws.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An orthopedic bone implant to mend a fracture of a humerus through distal and proximal bone fixation, proximal bone fixation using one or more locking screws, distal bone fixation using three or more extendable nail tangs, the three or more extendable nail tangs actuated using a linear tang actuator that passes around the one or more locking screws, allowing linear movement of the linear tang actuator after installation of the one or more locking screws. 
     
     
       2. The orthopedic bone implant of  claim 1 , wherein the orthopedic bone implant is sized and shaped for implantation within an intramedullary canal of a human humerus. 
     
     
       3. The orthopedic bone implant of  claim 1 , wherein the distal bone fixation using the three or more extendable tangs further prevents the one or more locking screws from unthreading. 
     
     
       4. The orthopedic bone implant of  claim 1 , wherein actuation of the linear tang actuator causes one or more keyhole-shaped slots to move with respect to the one or more locking screws, the movement of the one or more keyhole-shaped slots causing compression between one of the one or more keyhole-shaped slots and its respective locking screw of the one or more locking screws, the result being that the locking screw of the one or more locking screws is held within the orthopedic bone implant. 
     
     
       5. The orthopedic bone implant of  claim 4 , wherein the three or more extendable nail tangs has a pre-curved tip, the pre-curved tip being offset at an angle with respect to the remainder of its associated extendable nail tang. 
     
     
       6. The orthopedic bone implant of  claim 1 , the orthopedic bone implant having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein actuation of the linear tang actuator is achieved through use of an actuation screw, the actuation screw bracing itself against the locking screw of the one or more locking screws that is closest to the proximal end, the actuation screw interacting with the linear tang actuator such that rotation of the actuation screw causes the linear tang actuator to move toward the proximal end of the orthopedic bone implant. 
     
     
       7. The orthopedic bone implant of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a. a nail body having a proximal end and a distal end; 
 b. one or more locking screws penetrating the nail body near its proximal end; 
 c. the three or more extendable nail tangs being located near the distal end of the nail body; and 
 d. an internal mechanism for actuation of the three or more extendable nail tangs after installation of the one or more locking screws, wherein the internal mechanism allows for actuation of the three or more extendable nail tangs from the proximal end of the nail body after installation of the one or more locking screws. 
 
     
     
       8. An apparatus for affixing an orthopedic implant within a proximal portion of a humerus before affixing to a distal portion within a humerus, the apparatus comprising:
 a. an implantable nail with proximal and distal ends; 
 b. the implantable nail including deployable tangs near the distal end of the implantable nail; 
 c. two or more non-co-planar locking screws, wherein the two or more non-co-planar locking screws remain after implantation of the apparatus; and 
 d. the deployable tangs able to be actuated from the proximal end of the nail after installation of two or more non-co-planar locking screws. 
 
     
     
       9. The apparatus for affixing an orthopedic implant within a proximal portion of a humerus before affixing to a distal portion within a humerus of  claim 8 , the apparatus further comprising:
 a. a linear tang actuator including a proximal end and a distal end; 
 b. the linear tang actuator internal to the implantable nail; 
 c. the linear tang actuator interfaced with two or more deployable tangs; and 
 d. the linear tang actuator bridging the two or more deployable tangs and the proximal end of the implantable nail. 
 
     
     
       10. The apparatus for affixing an orthopedic implant within a proximal portion of a humerus before affixing to a distal portion within a humerus of  claim 9 , the apparatus further comprising:
 a. One or more keyhole-shaped slots, the one or more keyhole-shaped slots as part of the linear tang actuator, each of the one or more keyhole-shaped slots associated with the two or more non-co-planar locking screws. 
 
     
     
       11. The apparatus for affixing an orthopedic implant within a proximal portion of a humerus before affixing to a distal portion within a humerus of  claim 10 , the apparatus further comprising:
 a. an actuation screw, the actuation screw threaded into the proximal end of the linear tang actuator, such that rotation of the actuation screw causes linear motion of the linear tang actuator. 
 
     
     
       12. The apparatus for affixing an orthopedic implant within a proximal portion of a humerus before affixing to a distal portion within a humerus of  claim 9 , the apparatus further comprising:
 a. an actuation screw, the actuation screw threaded into the proximal end of the linear tang actuator, such that rotation of the actuation screw causes linear motion of the linear tang actuator. 
 
     
     
       13. An apparatus for fixation of a fractured humerus, the apparatus including a linear actuator that distally actuates two or more extendable tangs after proximal installation of two or more non-co-planar locking screws. 
     
     
       14. The apparatus for fixation of a fractured humerus of  claim 13 , wherein the two or more extendable tangs are curved metal extensions that, when extended, protrude from the apparatus, the two or more extendable tangs affixing the apparatus to an intramedullary canal within a humerus. 
     
     
       15. The apparatus for fixation of a fractured humerus of  claim 14 :
 a. wherein the apparatus is sized for implantation within the intramedullary canal of a human humerus; and 
 b. the non-co-planar locking screws are intended for installation into a head of the human humerus. 
 
     
     
       16. The apparatus for fixation of a fractured humerus of  claim 13 , wherein each of the two or more extendable tangs has a first position substantially within the apparatus, and a second position penetrating an outer surface of the apparatus.